How to Plan your Trip to Abra

The DIY Scenario

So you have seen those fabulous,enticing photos on your friends Facebook feed, or on the Abramazing Tours page, you tag your friends “Tara na” , pack your backpack, and meet up at the Dominion Bus Terminal in Cubao. You are all excited to explore the infamous Province of Abra, way, way up north.
On the bus journey you make your plans on where to visit – “Lets go to Kaparkan Falls, Basakal Falls, and Kili Falls”
Everyone agrees, so you all settle down, sleep and wait for the arrival in Bangued 8 hours later. 

Around 05.00 in the morning you arrive in Bangued. Now what??  You all look at each other. Where to first? 
You only have the weekend and need to be back in the Metro on Sunday night, ready for yet another week confined to a cubicle. You want to pack as much in to the day and a half as you possibly can.

And that is where your problems begin. No reservations have been made for accommodation, no homework on how to plan your trip to Abra and travel to your chosen destinations has been done. You now head to Chow King or McDonalds and begin your research.

Abra is fast becoming one of the popular tourist destinations in the North of the country, but the Province is still in its tourism teething stages Not all roads are paved, and unless you know what, how and where you are doing or going, it will be difficult for any DIY group to travel around without preplanned advice and/or arrangements.

*** NOTE – Kaparkan Falls are seasonal and only have cascading water during the rainy season from July to October. If you turn up in Abra during the dry season and expect to see them please note that there are no organised trips to Kaparkan Falls and that they will be dry.
As with every adventure, it pays to do your homework before leaving home.

In this post I will try to answer all your concerns on the best way How to plan your trip to Abra.

How to plan your trip to Abra

Understanding the Geography of Abra

Take a relief map of Abra and study it. You will notice that there are many rivers all over the Province. All of these rivers eventually join the Abra River as it winds its way through the province on its way to the sea.

A lack of bridges over these wide (sometimes over one kilometre wide) flood plains makes travel around Abra very difficult and time consuming. In many places a river crossing is done by either a bamboo raft or a ferry which can only carry one vehicle at a time.
This is the reason, how to plan your trip to Abra, is very important.

Think of Abra as an Octopus, with Bangued as the head and the tentacles as the roads. The gap between the tentacles are rivers. So to move from one tentacle to another you must pass through the head.
This is exactly what happens in Abra and why it can take a long time to travel between municipalities. All transport routes begin from Bangued. 

Many of the more popular spots in Abra require long jeepney rides to get to. If you have your own vehicle (4×4) or an off road bike, it will save you time.
Travel to Upper Tineg can only be done with off road dirt bikes or the customised jeepneys. There are only two Jeepneys in Abra (as far as i know) that can go where no other Jeepney can go.(D’Mountaineer and Highland). These jeepneys carry heavy duty chains to wrap round the tyres to help with traction whilst driving through the deep mud on certain sections of road. They are also fitted with winches.

Malibcong, Lacub, and Lower Tineg still have unpaved roads in some parts which increases travel time.

If you’re just going to stay around Bangued and the nearby municipalities,and you know where and what you want to see and visit, you can negotiate with a tricycle driver to take you around.

Abra is still a raw, wild and beautiful province.  There are many places still to discover and many that are already making their way onto the mainstream tourism lists. Don’t miss out and be sure to visit Abra soon. There is something for everyone in Abra.

Where to Stay in Bangued – Abrassi Hotel

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Related Articles

• Where to Eat, Sleep and Drink Coffee in Abra
• Guide to Kaparkan Falls
• Biyahe Ni Drew Discovers Abra
• What to do in Bangued
• Where to Eat Pancit Miki in Bangued

Where to Stay in Abra

Bangued has a nice selection of affordable places to stay, but as it’s only a small provincial town the number of beds are limited. When you plan your trip to Abra it is very advisable to book your accommodation ahead.

Hollanda Residencia, Calaba

A popular Homestay in Bangued is Hollanda Residencia

Located about 2 km away from Bangued Plaza, in Calaba, a short walk from the famous bridge. Hollanda Residencia has comfortable air con rooms with CR, an open veranda, a place for hang out and sing karaoke in the evening is also available. 

Phone 0955 497 6561 for reservations or contact their Hollanda Residencia Facebook Page

Escala Homestay, La Paz

Escala Homestay is THE place to stay if you like to stay out of town, be by yourself and enjoy good views over the Abra River Valley. You will need your own transport to reach here or take a tricycle ride from town. Read my Review Here

Phone Amarte on 0917 562 5642 for reservations or contact their Escala Homestay Facebook Page

Other places to stay in Bangued

Abrassi Hotel – Tayum (click link for the latest room rates)
Origines Hotel – Calaba
Lucky’s Hotel – Near Plaza
Adtempo Hotel – Zone 5
Oval Era Hotel – Zone 5

If you are unsure or need advice on Accommodation please contact AbraMazing Tours

Where to Eat in Abra

One of the most popular dishes in the province is Abra Miki, which is an orange coloured noodle soup made with miki noodles cooked in a pork broth. It comes served with a hard boiled egg, bit of pork and crispy chicharon. Read my post Where to Eat Pancit Miki to find out more.

Other Restaurants in and around Bangued you may like to try

• Rooftop Grill & Chill in Zone 5, half way up the hill to Victoria Park for an evening meal with a view over Bangued.
• Kubo Ni Zek,  Poblacion, Bucay serves good affordable food 
• If you fancy a pizza then Noah J’s Pizzeria, just down from McDonalds has been recommended to me
• For quick budget friendly snacks such as Pancit Canton, Arozcaldo, and various Sandwiches make your way to the Green Valley Bakery on Mckinley Street, Bangued
• Maria’s Kitchen – Calaba,(opposite the Hospital) serve freshly cooked budget Silog Meals and a selection of other foods. Find them on Facebook Maria’s Kitchen
• Calaba Fiesta Restaurant – near the Calaba Bridge has a good selection of dishes on its menu
• Kris Annes Panciteria on Agoncillo St, Zone 3, for the usual pancit miki , ice cold smoothies and brewed coffee
• Giawside FoodYard – Paz St. Zone 5, Bangued (infront of Viron Bus Terminal) Budget friendly selection of Silog meals, Spaghetti, Baked Macaroni, and other dishes.  Find them on Facebook Giawside Foodyard
•  

And of course the usual fast food joints such as Mc Donald’s, Jollibee, Chowking, and Mang Inasal can be found around the Plaza.

In the Central Market is a row of Carinderia Eateries serving the usual local and filipino dishes. The market is also the place to buy any supplies you may need for your trip.

How to Travel to Abra

How to travel to Abra from Manila

By Bus

• From Metro Manila, there are three bus companies operating along the Manila to Bangued route.
  Partas Bus Company, Viron Transit and Dominion Bus Lines.
• Journey time is around 10 hours

Dominion Line Bus

• Cubao Terminal
• Location: 701 Newyork Corner Edsa Cubao, Quezon City
• Contact # +639238458171
• Abra – Bangued Terminal
• Location: Zone 5 Bangued, Abra
• Contact # +639223817895

Partas Bus

• Cubao Terminal
• Location: Aurora Blvd. Cubao, Quezon City
• Contact # +639178193909 / (02) 727-1756 / (02) 727-8278
• Pasay Terminal
• Location: Aurora Blvd. Pasay City, Metro Manila
• Contact # +639173186130 / (02) 851-4025 / (02) 725-1740
• Abra – Bangued Terminal
• Location: Zone 7 Bangued, Abra
• Contact # +639178258183 / (074) 752-8262 / (074) 752-8612

Viron Transit

• Cubao Terminal
• Location: 697 Edsa Cubao, Quezon City
• Sampaloc Manila Terminal
• Location: 1209 Dapitan St. Sampaloc, Manila
• Contact # (02) 741-6588
• Abra Terminal
• Location: Zone 5 Bangued, Abra
• Contact # (074)752-3037

• The Fare at time of writing is around P950 (updated July 2023)

Bus Companies that link Bangued with other destinations are 

Bangued to Manila, Baguio – Partas Bus Company
Bangued to Manila, Baguio – Dominion Bus Lines
Bangued to Manila, Baguio – Philippine Rabbit
Bangued to Baguio – Sambrano Bus Lines
Bangued to Manila – Viron Transit
Bangued to Vigan, Tuguegarao – Esonice Bus Lines
Bangued to Baguio, Vigan, Laoag – BBL Transit

By Car or Motorbike

Bangued is just over 400 kilometers from Kilometer Zero and is an 8 to 9 hour drive via NLEX, SCTEX, TPLEX and the Manila North Road.
Turn right four kilometers after Narvacan  in Ilocos Sur. Follow this road to the Tangadan Welcome Tunnel, which is the Gateway to Abra.
Just before the tunnel is the new Pasalubong Centre where you can take a break, rest up, and refresh yourself with a cup of brewed Abra Coffee.
Continue through the tunnel, passing by the towns of San Quintin and Pidigan to Bangued.

For bikers there are a couple of other entry points to the Province. The Abra-Kalinga Road which passes through the town of Malibcong, Abra from Balbalan, Kalinga and the Abra – Ilocos Norte Road  from Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte to Danglas, Abra.
These roads at time of this post are only advisable for two wheeled vehicles. There is not much traffic and no Public transport along these routes yet. 

By Air
There are no airports in Abra. The closest airport is Laoag, three hours away by car.

• Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines have daily flights to Laoag.
• From Laoag take a bus to Vigan and change there for a bus to Bangued 
• Or take any bus that is heading south and alight at Narvacan for bus and jeepney connections to Bangued. Tell the conductor you are travelling to Bangued / Abra.

Useful Contact Numbers and Links

 Abramazing Tours  
( Abramazing Tours, a registered travel agency under DTI Certificate # 05184651 with office address at Poblacion, La Paz, Abra)

Rogine Alcantara – Tricycle Driver/ Tourist Guide –09675279145

Contact links with Facebook
Abramazing Tours

George Lalin – Tourism Consultant to the Congressman JB Bernos
Jun Rosales  –  Abramazing Tours

How to Plan your trip to Abra | Suggested Reading

Travel Blogger Edmar Guquib’s post  ABRA: 137 Attractions and Must-See Destinations 
Where to Stay in Abra 

Where to Stay in Bangued – Strutz Art Garden Resort

Click image to check latest room rates

Thankyou for sharing 🙂